Menu

FOLLOW US

Monthly Archives: December 2016

As we head into sale here are some of the stories that I would be buying into from the Wild & Gorgeous collection in order to stock up my children’s wardrobes for the winter months to come.

Exotic EmbroideryThis season we delved deep into some fabulously intricate embroidery for both boys and girls styles. I love the leaping tiger and Chinese dragon details, and think they really lift a basic item of clothing from wardrobe staple to out-of-the-ordinary. We have emblazoned cord jackets, twill trousers, cotton shirts and denim styles as well as adding oriental sequin and intarsia details to our iconic children’s knitwear. My particular favourite this season include the Bam Top and Field Skirt in denim with discrete embroidered flowering bamboo detail and the uber cool, stand out form the crowd Dragon Trousers which have been equally popular with girls as well as boys.

Tartan TalesOur Tartan styles have been super popular this season so if they are sold out, I would stock up quick in any available sizes. It is an enduring look that never goes out of fashion and somehow always seems cool. I particularly love the Roller Dungaree Dress styled with the girls Black and White Stripe Sweatshirt which adds a little 80’s punky edge to the look and red Chelsea Boots. I also love the charcoal grey Marley Jumper worn with the monochrome City Skirt. A great girls outfit for everyday wear.

Charcoal ChicI think it is lovely in the depths of winter to wear chic and subtle coloured clothes so I especially love our charcoal cord styles especially when lifted with a bit of blue – although it is a wonderful versatile colour that works well with almost any colour you can throw at it. I especially love the Stork Dress for younger girls and the Cord Dungarees worn with chunky boots and a blue Wild and Gorgeous denim coloured Butterfly Jumper. Accessorise with our super soft scarf, gloves and hat set and chunky boots, and you are ready to go. Pop a charcoal and grey Hector Jumper on your boy and they are a wildly chic effortlessly matching duo!

At Wild & Gorgeous we have always loved a swirl of net, a scattered sequin and a dash of pink. And it seems to go down very well with our feminine customers who love to party and know how to dress for it. However since the launch of our first boys range this Autumn we have noticed a growing number of tomboys coming into the shops looking to buy into the boys range.The most popular styles among our tomboy fan base include the boys T shirts, the Sid Trousers and the black and white Striped Skinny Trousers. We have also had girls shopping and looking achingly cool in the Leaping Tiger Trouser and the Dragon trouser.

A lot of children’s brands design unisex clothes and whilst we haven’t intentionally done that this season it does seem that our gorgeous girls are getting a little more wild in their sartorial choices.

Following boom and bust, mindless consumption and enforced austerity, interesting things have come out of that austerity; a retreat to values and fashions that seem to encapsulate simpler times, the good old days. We’ve found ourselves yearning for the more honest and straightforward world enjoyed by our parents and grandparents. Superficially, this has meant that bicycles and baking, beards and tweed, vintage style and gardening are now more popular than ever; on a deeper level it has meant that millions of people are returning to craft as a source of solace and comfort, that more people than ever want to get outdoors, to discover and consume things that are made with passion by small business. And that people are trying to discover what makes them truly happy. At its core this movement can best be defined, perhaps, as The Search for The Good Life; a life that’s fulfilled and considered, yes, but is also fun and values the things that matter…. family, friends, a real connection with The Great Outdoors, books, proper food and drink, discovery, music that comes from the soul, great books, craft. All the things that don’t cost a great deal but that make life richer, more rewarding and better fun.

When, where and who started it?

The festival was started back in 2014, and it was an ongoing discussion about the aforementioned Search for the Good Life that led four friends -broadcaster, musician and writer Cerys Matthews, record industry and arts consultant Steve Abbott and retailers, farmers and authors Charlie and Caroline Gladstone- to create a festival with a difference, The Good Life Experience.

Are the families who attend generally urban or city based?

Our festival goers come from all over, this year from the highlands of Scotland to Cornwall, Devon and even Portland, Oregon and Cuba. The Good Life Experience does attract city dwellers in search of a weekend off grid, but many come from rural areas across North Wales and the Lake District too.

What do you aim for them to get out of the experience?

And the aim is for guests to engage in making something, learning, trying new things – be it music, food, axe throwing or tree climbing. Many of the guests described The Good Life Experience as a huge private party, something to replenish hearts and souls before the onset of winter.

What aged children do you aim to appeal to?

This year we welcomed children all ages, from new-borns to teenagers. For the younger children particularly it’s a chance for them to run wild in a safe place. We have a beautiful 1930s vintage fairground, and all rides are free, but it’s the hay bales and pumpkins that prove to be most popular, not many of which survive the weekend!

What would make your perfect Christmas?

Family, friends, great food, The Pogues, Love Actually, a fire and a new axe.

What do you have in store for The Good Life 2017?

Plans for 2017 are already afoot. Confirmed acts include former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen, King of the Notting Hill Carnival DJ Norman Jay and author and journalist India Knight, and we are soon to announce our first makers and craftspeople. In 2016 there were more than 40 expert craftspeople giving workshops and demonstrations, and in 2017 we are aiming for even more. Tickets are already selling fast, which is a great sign that we are doing something right.

1. When did you start Wyse London and what was the impetus that got you going?

I started in December 2014. I was fed up with paying too much for the more fashion end of cashmere. I felt there was a gap for affordable cashmere with detailing. Easy to wear but not high street and plain and not top end and designer. Also the shapes, designs and colours were never quite right. So I designed my own.

2. How would you describe your own style?

Without sounding like an idiot – the French influence (I’m half French) has really rubbed off on me. So its the understated look, the nod to fashion not slave to fashion, I’ll try something new like a pleated skirt but only wear it if I feel comfortable. Theres nothing worse than feeling insecure in what you are wearing. Its obvious in your body language. So I love a pop of colour, and understated necklace, cool shoes and a big bag full of all my rubbish!

3. Do you design for yourself or your customer?

Firstly for myself. There is nothing in the collection I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing. But I have learnt to expand the collection to cater for more shapes and sizes. I listen to all the concerns of customers and try and find a ways to design for real body shapes.

4. Why cashmere?

Thats a silly question!! Its just so lovely to wear and much easier to care for than you think. You can easily put in a wool wash in the machine. I hand out washing instructions with every purchase.

5. What do your children think of your success?

Thats a good question…. I think they are very proud of me and love it when they see people wearing my designs. My daughter is very fashion minded and has her own style so I am sure she would want to do something similar one day. They do however get a bit frustrated when I can’t finish a sentence with them as the phone is constantly ringing…

6. Do they wear your designs?

Every day.

7. What will you be giving your children this Christmas?

Please don’t ask me that… I have even given it a thought. I ask them to send me links to what they want and I just press the pay now button…

This week we are giving away a set of his and hers pyjama’s along with a Melt hot chocolate stick and a copy of the iconic children’s book The Snowman. So as well as a pair of pristine Wild & Gorgeous kids pyjama’s, some non toxic nail nail varnish and temporary tattoo’s to apply, a glittery hair tie and a fluffy back back to pack it all in, what else do you need to create the perfect sleepover?

Slumber Scrap

Take digital pictures during the slumber party and make scrapbook pages later in the evening. Provide everyone with a small scrapbook, pretty paper, fun cut-outs and scissors.

Karaoke
Let everyone have a turn at singing. Play you own version of X Factor and set up judges to vote on the best performance.

Talent ShowEveryone performs their best (or worst) talent. Have judges and award small prizes.

Fashion Show

Dress up and give away small prizes for best walk, best pose, most attitude and best over all.

Dance, dance …. dance

Then play freeze dance. Have someone turn down the volume and everyone must freeze and not laugh until the music starts again. Whoever laughs has to turn down the volume next.

Paint nails and toenails

Decorate with dots, stripes and flowers

Test Your Taste buds

Have one person make something from ingredients in the kitchen and then other person has to put on a blindfold and eats the food. The person with the blindfold on then makes a guess at what the food is or what ingredients are in it.

Decorate pillowcases

Use permanent markers (you are able to sleep on them that night) or fabric pens and have guests sign each others’ pillowcases during the slumber party. Decorate and doodle to create a masterpiece. You’ll remember how much fun you had with your friends every time you go to sleep.